Power Tools…A Man’s Best Friend

Being a guy, I know that if you are the hands on type (like me) we tend to define ourselves by the tools that we have. I am going to discuss which tools I think no man should ever go without because of their versatility to work on almost any job. The tools below are any man’s dream to have in his arsenal. Being in the construction business for over the last 30 years, we take our tools and their ability to perform on the job as serious business. With the large variety of power tools on the market it can be mindboggling, but these tools allow us to work faster and increase the number of different jobs that we are able to accomplish. Below, we are going to discuss power tools that will make a difference in performance and reduce fatigue.

No man should ever go without a cordless drill in his collection. This will be your go to tool for many projects around your home. Without it, you’ll be looking like an Amish carpenter as you hand-bore holes at a rate of one per hour. The Makita 18-volt cordless drill-driver weighs only 3.5 lbs. yet delivers up to 450 lbs. of max torque. This little beauty will give you enough oomph to get through any type of reasonable material. Its ergonomic shape fits like a glove for reduced operator fatigue and has a compact lithium-ion battery charges in only 15 minutes for less downtime.

Hitachi C10FCH2 10″ Miter Saw with Laser

Miter Saw

A power miter saw, also known as a chop saw or drop saw, is a power tool used to make a quick, accurate crosscuts. Common uses include framing operations, cutting crown molding, chair rails or decking. Most miter saws are relatively small and portable, with common blade sizes ranging from eight to twelve inches. Hitachi’s 10” miter saw is great for a couple of reasons. It is the lightest in its class at 26.5 lbs. and also has an exclusive laser marking system which can be activated before the blade is in motion for exact alignment and predictable blade placement aiding you in achieving the old adage “measure twice, cut once”. I would recommend saving money and building your own more versatile miter saw table. Building your own will allow you to support longer stocks, frees up works space and keeps the saw at the perfect working height all the time. There are many plans and videos on the internet you can access for building your own table.

Milwaukee 6509-22 Sawzall 11-Amp Reciprocating Saw

Sawzall

Few tools embody the raw destructive force of a sawzall or reciprocating saw. It will cut through most metals and woods like butter. It has a large blade that resembles a jigsaw. Milwaukee makes a sawzall that is the ultimate demolition tool. This bad boy can be equipped to cut pretty much anything with its dizzying array of available blades. Studs, pipes or even sheets of metal don’t stand a chance against this awesome machine. This sawzall is an 11 amp durable and super light machine weighing in at just 7lbs holding the title for the best power-to-weight ratio in its class. Don’t underestimate this small, but really tough, saw that has variable speed trigger that sends the blade from 0-2,800 strokes per minute. It has a rubber boot that provides superior gripping and exceptional accuracy.

Paslode 902000 16 Gauge Straight Finish Nailer

Finish Nailer

A finish nailer is a specific power tool that is categorized as a type of nail gun. The finish nailer is designed to accomplish carpentry finish work quickly and efficiently. As with other types of nail guns, a finish nailer is designed for use with very specific sized nails, which are sold in strips that load into the gun. Inside, a hammer mechanism drives the nails with powered force, making the finish nailer ideal for quickly installing all types of trim from baseboards to crown molding. Paslode’s 902000 Fuel-Powered Cordless 16-Gauge Straight Finish Nailer allows you to never worry about dragging around cords, hoses or bulky compressors. Instead, you’ll get the portability and flexibility you need to move around the jobsite and finish hard-to-reach areas–without the mess and clutter of a pneumatic tool. And because you won’t need to set up or break down, you’ll save both time and labor costs. It weighs just 4.9 pounds, so it’s easy on the arms. And with a sure-grip handle, it’s comfortable to hold, even during all-day jobs. It can drive 3/4″ to 2-1/2″ 16-gauge straight nails in even the hardest woods, so you can finish doors, molding, paneling, rails, casing and cabinetry work. When you’re tackling a big job, you’ll be grateful for the high-capacity straight-collation magazine, which holds up to 100 nails.

DEWALT DC825KA 1/4″ (6.4mm) 18V Cordless XRP™ Impact Driver Kit

Impact Driver

An impact driver is an ideal choice for tackling a broad range of fastening applications. It is getting a lot of attention these days because it is neither a hammer drill nor a regular drill. It has a smaller condensed profile compared to a regular drill allowing it to have 1,330 inch-pounds of torque. This also means that you are less likely to strip screws and it allows you to drive long screws with minimal effort. This Dewalt driver has a textured anti-slip grip comfort grip that provides maximum comfort and control when on the job. It also has a heavy-duty impacting mechanism that directs the torque to fastener without kickbacks. You can’t go wrong with this machine.

DEWALT DW366 7.25″ Heavy Duty Circular Saw with Electric Brake

Circular Saw

This type of hand held power saw is a basic tool in a carpenter, builder or home renovator’s tool kit. A circular saw is an electric saw that turns a round flat blade to cut wood, metal, or plastic depending on the blade selected. A good circular saw should have enough raw power to slice through everything from wet lumber to dense hardwood without bogging down. For a wide range of carpentry projects, the good old circular saw can be your best friend. Choosing one like the Dewalt DW364 is a good call, in that it has both the power you’ll definitely need and the features you’ll be thankful for, particularly if you get into making some more advanced cuts. The saw is capable of making bevel cuts of up to 50 degrees and its aluminum alloy base means enough durability to make a lot of said cuts. For safety’s sake, this saw is equipped with an electric brake for quick blade halts and features a handle layout that keeps you behind the blade.

Porter-Cable 342 1/4-Sheet Palm Sander

Palm Sander

A palm sander is a type of power sander that can easily be held and operated with one hand. It is often a good choice for a variety of home improvement tasks. The palm sander works by vibrating in a slightly circular pattern. This motion causes a very effective sanding action to occur, smoothing the surface of the wood being sanded. They are considered very versatile and can handle both finish sanding and rough sanding jobs. The Porter-Cable Palm Sander is nice because it has a 2.4 amp motor for power and durability, rubber grip for comfort, a porous polyethylene dust canister that is much more durable than its cloth counterparts and weighs a mere 5 lbs.

Lindus Construction / Midwest LeafGuard is a full service contractor specializing in LeafGuard Gutters, GAF Asphalt Roofing, SeasonGuard Windows/Siding/Insulation, Metal Roofing, Decking, New Construction & Home Remodeling. Call us at 1-800-873-1451 or check us out on the web at http://lindusconstruction.com. Tune into WCCO 830 every Saturday at 9am for our Home Improvement Show with Denny Long & Andy Lindus.

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Lindus Construction

What started as a two-person remodeling company over 35 years ago has grown into a multi-state construction and home improvement enterprise boasting more than 75,000 happy customers. Delighting our customers, whether they are building new or remodeling their home with a new gutter system or roofing installation, is easy to do with the great products we offer and our staff of hardworking employees.